Hello Joel,
Thank you for a fascinating, moving question. My dad was in The Big
One, and it's hard to read some of the tales of the brave soldiers of
WWII without thinking about how lucky I am to have him.
There is a good amount of information on the web about the 452nd
Bombardment Group, and some of it is specific to the 731st Squadron.
I've tried to give you the most pertinent information here, with links
to most of the rest.
I've gone easy on mentioning individual names -- perhaps for the same
reason you didn't mention your grandfather's name -- but if you want
any follow-up assistance in compiling the names of individuals from
the 731st, just let me know.
In the material below, anything I've written is in brackets --
everything else is excerpted directly from the sites themselves:
-----
[Here is a good history of the 452nd, with pictures of insignias from
the squadrons, including the 731st]
http://hometown.aol.com/Tarp624/index.htm
US 8th Army Air Force
3rd Bombardment Division
45th Combat Bombardment Wing (H)
452nd Bombardment Group (H)
Brief History of the 452nd BG 1943-1945
Squadrons of the 452nd BG
-----
[The link below is the KIA list of the 452nd -- I counted 77 names
from the 731st Squad]:
http://hometown.aol.com/Tarp624/kia.htm
452nd Bombardment Group (H) Members
Killed in Action List
452nd Bomb Group Assn.-Deopham Green Directory-Station 142-Deopham
Green, England-2001
-----
[Here is one man's extensive story of his experiences in the 731st
Squad -- I've excerpted some of it here, but the site itself has much
more, along with the names of some others in the Squad. There's also
an image of a magnificent painting here of B-17s returning from a
mission]
http://members.aol.com/famjustin/Kilbybio.html
Biography of Robert J. *****, Jr.
731st Sqdn, 452nd Bmb Grp, 2nd Div, 8th A.F., U.S.A.A.F.
The 731st operated from an airfield in England called Deopham Green.
Bob was a relief radio operator. He flew on various aircraft when
others were sick because of his vast radio experience.
On one of the misstions the unit had lost 14 aircraft that day after
launching 33. Later in life One of Bob's friends was famous wild life
artist, John *****. John doesn't like to paint anything but
animals-wildlife but he thought so much of Bob that he presented Bob
with a magnificent painting of 14 B-17Gs. The painting is of the
Squadron over the North Sea returning to Deopham-Green. John wanted to
depict the feeling of relief by the crew members after an intense
action. I don't know how he did it - but he did and all you can see
are airplanes and sky over the sea. The painting is entitled "452nd
Return to Deopham- Green. I have been in aviation all of my adult life
and consider it the finest effort of its kind I've ever seen.
---
[I couldn't resist including this, since I'm from Flatbush myself]:
This image is a bit of detail from the painting, the Flatbush Floogie,
a B-17G. Bob was aboard the Wendy Lou on the day the painting depicts.
We must guess the one the Wendy Lou is. The full image will soon be
available....The Wendy Lou's pilot was Lt. Darr on that mission. After
nearly 11 hours in the air Lt. Darr had to land in heavy rain with a
very low ceiling. He accomplished the landing while low on fuel by
looking out the cockpit's side window. The rain severely limited
visibility through his windshield...
---
[An oral history is available on-line]:
I taped Bob's remarks about his life and answers to my questions from
a discussion we had in Tucson. If you would like to hear this tape,
click here...
[Visit the site directly to click on the links]:
http://members.aol.com/famjustin/Kilbybio.html
---
[The author of the site invites questions and comments -- I'm sure he
wouldn't mind hearing from you directly]:
Please Share your Stories! E-mail the Curator to share or discuss or
with any questions!
-----
[There is also a poem that Bob wrote at the link below regarding the
731st]:
http://members.aol.com/famjustin/Kilby2.html
THE ILLUSIVE BATTLEFIELD
Dedicated to the fond memory of TSGT Gordon McL. Gibson who was killed
on his thirtieth mission while flying with the Four Hundred Fifty
Second BG of the Eighth Air Force.
-----
[This site is an on-line discussion group devoted to the Eighth Air
Force. You could post a message here with any questions you might
have about the 731st, or about people who perhaps knew your
grandfather.
http://www.com-web.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
Mighty Eighth Air Force Public Message Board
---
[The site also has a good deal of information about the 731st
Squadron. I extracted the main posts dealing with the 731st. You can
access them here]:
://www.google.com/search?q=site:www.com-web.com+731st&num=100&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&safe=off&filter=0
[Here's a bit of what they look like. Note though, that I had to use
the "cache" link to see the posts; for some reason, the regular links
weren't working -- I believe these are all WWII related, although I
did notice some posts about the Korean War as well]:
Re: 731st Bombardment 1943-1945, crew#7232
Re: 731st Bombardment 1943-1945, crew#7232. ... In Reply to: 731st
Bombardment 1943-1945,
crew#7232 posted byRich Sweeney on March 07, 19100 at 22:29:37: ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3727.html - 4k - Cached - Similar
pages
452nd BG/731st Sq Crew shot down 6 March 44
452nd BG/731st Sq Crew shot down 6 March 44. ... Follow Ups: Re: 452nd
BG/731st Sq
Crew shot down 6 March 44 Peggy Williams 08:26:39 3/21/100 (0): Post
Followup. ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3799.html - 4k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: 452nd BG/731st Sq Crew shot down 6 March 44
Re: 452nd BG/731st Sq Crew shot down 6 March 44. ... In Reply to:
452nd BG/731st Sq Crew
shot down 6 March 44 posted byMike Flanagan on March 17, 19100 at
01:55:57: ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3845.html - 4k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: 731st Bombardment 1943-1945, crew#7232
Re: 731st Bombardment 1943-1945, crew#7232. ... In Reply to: 731st
Bombardment 1943-1945,
crew#7232 posted byRich Sweeney on March 07, 19100 at 22:29:37: ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3698.html - 4k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: B-17 -- Poiple Boid
... the "Poiple Boid". He was with the 731st and I remember him
mentioning
the name of Heinemann (may have been the pilot). Dad kept ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/649.html - 5k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: B-17 -- Poiple Boid
... See 731st: http://www.amer-net.com/731st/frame.htm
http://hometown.aol.com/Tarp624/index.htm
http://www.missingplanes.com/stories.htm. ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3717.html - 4k - Cached - Similar
pages
Mighty Eighth Air Force Public Message Board
... 45:23 3/17/100 (0): 452nd BG/731st Sq Crew shot down 6 March 44 -
Mike ***** 01:55:57 3/17/100 (1): Re: 452nd BG/731st Sq Crew ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/ww10board.html - 101k - Cached - Similar
pages
B-17 -- Poiple Boid
... to a B17 named the 'Poiple Boid' (like Purple Bird)....anyon know
of anything on
this plane or where I may find more about the 731st Bombardment
Squadron? ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3690.html - 4k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Information on lost crew of B-17, 21 April 45
... Still trying to find any information on cousin Sgt.Alfred V.
*****,
452nd Bomb Gp. 731st Bomb Sqdn. assigned ... Gp. 731st Bomb Sqdn. ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/3225.html - 7k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Lucky Lady B-17 crash landing in Belgium
... by FLAK there. It was from the 731st Bombardment Squadron (H),
452nd
Bombardment Group (H). : : The Pilot was 1st Lt. Richard F. ***** ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/8327.html - 8k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Mystery name: Gruesome Crewsome
... Here is what the text for the photo says: : "Jacket Art for 731st
Sqdn. ... : Here
is what the text for the photo says: : : "Jacket Art for 731st Sqdn.
Crew. ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/12171.html - 6k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Lucky Lady B-17 crash landing in Belgium
... by FLAK there. It was from the 731st Bombardment Squadron (H),
452nd
Bombardment Group (H). : The Pilot was 1st Lt. Richard F. Noble ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/8200.html - 8k - Cached - Similar
pages
Thank to all for the help - 452th BG B-17 "Lucky Lady"
... 3 KIA 7 POW : MACR 3784. : : Lucky Lady 111 : 452nd BG 731st BS :
42-39941
: 12.5.44 : FTR AA GF CR Sougne-Remouchamps, Belgium : Pilot Lt. ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/6949.html - 5k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Lucky Lady B-17 crash landing in Belgium
... by FLAK there. It was from the 731st Bombardment Squadron (H),
452nd
Bombardment Group (H). : : : The Pilot was 1st Lt. Richard F ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/1975.html - 9k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Lucky Lady B-17 crash landing in Belgium
... by FLAK there. It was from the 731st Bombardment Squadron (H),
452nd
Bombardment Group (H). The Pilot was 1st Lt. Richard F. Noble ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/8193.html - 6k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Mon Tete Rouge II
... Your father was a member of the 731st Bombardment Squadron (H), of
the 452nd Bombardment
Group (H). There were three Killed In Action, and the rest (6) were
POW ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/11720.html - 5k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: 452th BG B-17 "Lucky Lady"
... Norman G. ***** Jr. 3 KIA 7 POW MACR 3784. Lucky Lady 111 452nd BG
731st
BS 42-39941 12.5.44 FTR AA GF CR Sougne-Remouchamps, Belgium Pilot Lt.
...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/6909.html - 5k - Cached - Similar
pages
Mystery name: Gruesome Crewsome
... Here is what the text for the photo says: "Jacket Art for 731st
Sqdn. Crew. ... Here
is what the text for the photo says: : "Jacket Art for 731st Sqdn.
Crew. Lt. ...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/6604.html - 5k - Cached - Similar
pages
Re: Thank to all for the help - 452th BG B-17
... : 3 KIA 7 POW : : MACR 3784. : : : : Lucky Lady 111 : : 452nd BG
731st BS : : 42-39941
: : 12.5.44 : : FTR AA GF CR Sougne-Remouchamps, Belgium : : Pilot Lt.
...
www.com-web.com/wwwboard/messages/1217.html - 5k - Cached - Similar
pages
-----
[This site has a brief history of the 731st, and references a book on
the same topic. The site is put together by a Korean War Veteran, and
the focus is primarily post-WWII, but there is some background
information as well]:
http://www.amer-net.com/731st/frame.htm
HISTORY OF THE 731ST BOMB SQUADRON (L-NA)
From the 731st Squadron Book
(Published by Hiroshima Publishing Co. 1951)
-----
[This site is more or less an advertisement for a book: Stories of
the 452nd Bomb Group, by Edward Hinrichs]:
Twenty five World War II veterans share their experience to create
this exhilarating collection of stories. The book contains 23
first-hand accounts, previously untold, of the 452nd Bomb Group. In
this unique and exciting collection, you will encounter the fear,
pain, and courage of these truly heroic veterans of the mighty Eight
Air Force.
[It's hard to tell how much of the information might be specific to
the 731st --I didn't see anything on the site itself. But there is a
link to contact the author directly, as well as ordering info for the
book]
-----
I truly hope this information is a help to you in your quest. If
there's anything else I can to to clarify or elaborate on or add to
the information here, please just let me know...I'm happy to be of
service. |
